- No. 7 Disa Road, Extension 8, Kempton Park
- pension@mepf.co.za
- +27 11 578 5333
By MEPF
MEPF Newsletter Issue 6
Dear Valued Member,
Welcome to the Sixth edition of the MEPF Newsletter!
As we move closer to the end of 2025, the Fund continues to strengthen its commitment to members by providing clarity, transparency, and timely updates on important
processes. In this edition, you will find important information on the upcoming General Meeting, updates on Fund administration, benefit
statements, and more.
2025 General Meeting
The much-anticipated 2025 MEPF General Meeting is finally here! The meeting will take place on 11 December 2025.
The success of this General Meeting depends on our members across all municipalities. As per the Fund Rules, each municipality is required to hold Member Representative elections and submit the official results before the deadline of 28 October 2025.
All municipalities are required to conduct fresh elections of
representatives and to submit the results using the official
documentation provided by the Fund. Only election and nomination results conducted after 23 September 2025- the date of the official notice- will be accepted. Results from earlier elections or nominations, including those for the March 2025 meeting, are not valid. Please note: no extensions will be granted.
This process is crucial because:
- Member Representatives are the voice of the members. They
raise concerns, contribute to decision-making discussions, and
safeguard the interests of all employees. - Transparency and accountability. The election process ensures
that members are fairly represented in governance structures. - Fund stability and growth. Having active and legitimate
representatives contributes to smoother operations, stronger
communication, and informed decisions at the General Meeting.
We urge all members and HR officials to ensure the process runs smoothly and on time. Should you require guidance, please reach out to any of our Stakeholder Relations Officers for assistance.
Great News! Funeral Benefit Increase Effective 1 October 2025
Dear Member/Pensioner
We are delighted to share some great news with you! As a result of the Fund’s continued growth and strong financial performance- with assets under management now over R31.2 billion, we are pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees have approved an increase in funeral benefits, effective 1 October 2025.
From this date, the funeral benefit for members and pensioners will increase from R40 000 to R50 000. The spouse benefit will also increase from R40 000 to R50 000, and similarly, the widow(er) benefit will increase from R40 000 to R50 000.
These enhancements reflect the Fund’s ongoing commitment to improving member benefits as we grow together. We are proud to share this positive development with you and your loved ones.
We are currently updating all benefit statements to reflect these exciting changes. As a result, there will be a short delay in the distribution of statements.
Updated Funeral Benefits (Effective 1 October 2025)
As the Fund grows from strength to strength, together we are building a secure and sustainable future for all our members.
Clarifying the Relationship between MEPF and Akani Retirement Fund Administrators
There has been an ongoing misconception that Akani Retirement Fund Administrators (Akani RFA) runs MEPF. We would like to clarify this:
- MEPF is an independent Fund governed by its Board of
Trustees, as per the Pension Funds Act of 1956. - Akani RFA is a service provider and manages administrative duties on behalf of the Fund. These include record-keeping, processing claims, managing member data, and stakeholder relations, among other things.
- Decision-making remains solely with MEPF. Akani RFA does
not make decisions on behalf of the Fund, but executes the decisions that are made by the Fund and are given the mandate by the Fund.
This partnership ensures professional administration while protecting the independence and integrity of MEPF.
Pension-Backed Housing Loan: What Members Need to Know
The Pension-Backed Housing Loan remains a valuable benefit for members who wish to access housing finance. However, it is
important to understand how it works:
- You do not borrow money directly from MEPF. Instead, the fund provides a guarantee (surety) to a registered credit provider on your behalf.
- The previous surety was 80%. Due to the implementation of
The Two-Pot Retirement System, the Fund can now only
guarantee up to 65% of the loan value. - The loan approval is not automatic. Credit providers are regulated by the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and must follow their own processes when assessing affordability and risk.
This means that while MEPF provides the backing, the decision to grant or decline a loan lies with the credit provider. The bank or
lender will still conduct their own checks to ensure you can afford the repayments and have a satisfactory credit record. Only if you meet their requirements will the loan be granted.
2025 Benefit Statements
Your updated 2025 February Benefit Statement will be available at the end of October 2025.
Members can:
- Log on to the MEPF Member Portal to access your benefit statement online.
- Download the MEPF App on the Google Play Store to access your benefit statement anytime, anywhere.
- If you have not registered on the portal, please register first,
then sign in to view your statement. - Contact the Fund directly if you prefer to receive your most recent statement via email or hard copy.
We encourage all members to review their statements regularly to better plan for retirement.
Closure of the opt-in two-pot retirement system period
Effective 1 September 2024, the Two-Pot Retirement System was introduced to provide a more flexible and sustainable approach
to retirement savings. Under this system, all retirement fund contributions from that date forward are split into two
components:
- Savings Pot: Allows limited pre-retirement access under
specified conditions. - Retirement Pot: Preserved strictly for use at retirement.
All members younger than 55 years on 1 March 2021 were
automatically enrolled in the Two-Pot System from 1 September 2024. Their contributions are now being allocated between the
Savings and Retirement Pots, in accordance with the legislative requirements.
All members over 55 years were not automatically included in this new system and were required to make a once-off, irrevocable decision to opt in.
- This meant that:
Members who were 55 years or older as of 1 March 2021, and - Who were still active members of their fund as of 1 September 2024.
These members were given a 12-month window, from 1
September 2024 to 31 August 2025, to opt in to the new system.
Closure of the Opt-In Period
Please be advised that the opt-in window officially closed on 31 August 2025.
- This was a strict, one-time opportunity as determined by
legislation. - No late opt-ins will be accepted, and no exceptions can be
made under any circumstances. - Members who did not opt in by the deadline will remain in the previous retirement structure and will not have access to the early withdrawal features provided under the Two-Pot System.
We request all HR representatives to ensure this information is shared widely within your departments and with affected employees to avoid any confusion regarding the implementation and opt-in requirements of the Two-Pot System.
Should you or your members require further clarity or assistance
regarding the Two-Pot System or your retirement benefits, please
do not hesitate to contact us at:
Tel: 011 578 5333
Email: Pension@akafin.co.za
Thank You to Our Stakeholders
The Fund wishes to extend sincere gratitude to all members, employers, HR officials, and stakeholders for your continued partnership and support. Your active participation and feedback
remain the cornerstone of MEPF’s growth and stability. Together, we are building a Fund that safeguards the future of all municipal
employees across South Africa.
Our Stakeholder Relations Officers are always ready to assist:
1. Lebo Molemane – 066 020 8535 (North-West, Mpumalanga,
Gauteng)
2. Gudani Mufhadi – 072 352 7144 (Free State, Limpopo,
Mpumalanga, North-West)
3. Thulani Mthombeni – 082 585 5931 (Gauteng, KZN, Northern
Cape, Eastern Cape)
4.Wisani Shiviti – 072 352 6894 (Limpopo, Mpumalanga,
Gauteng)
Regards,
Municipal Employees Pension Fund
Your Number 1 Pension Fund
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The Fund is administered by Akani Retirement Fund Administrators (Pty) Ltd.
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